A/C - Alternatives for R-12 Refrigerants

BULLETIN NO.: 98-T-05

ISSUE DATE: February, 1998

GROUP/SEQ. NO.: HVAC-01

CORPORATION NO.: 881204

SUBJECT:
Alternative Refrigerants for R-12 Air Conditioning Systems

MODELS AFFECTED:
1991-1993 Saturns equipped with A/C

PURPOSE:

Recently, there have been many advertisements for "Alternative Refrigerants" as a replacement for R-12 refrigerant used in A/C systems. Regardless of any advertised claim, the only substitute approved by Saturn, for Saturn vehicles, is retrofitting the A/C system to R-134a refrigerant. At the present time, only new R-12, recycled R-12, new R-134a, or recycled R-134a is approved for use in Saturn air conditioning systems.

Some of these "replacements" for R-12 contain a blend of R-22, propane, butane, and other chemicals, which may damage the A/C system used on Saturn vehicles. Some of these replacement refrigerant blends:

^ may be flammable,

^ may possibly cause leaks to occur because the blends are not compatible with sealing materials, or

^ have higher operating temperatures.

Since these replacement refrigerant blends are marketed as "drop-in" replacements for R-12, the purity of the recycled refrigerant is at risk. To address this concern and protect the integrity of the recycled refrigerant, the RI-2002DS Refrigerant Identifier was released as essential equipment in July, 1995. (If you would like more information on the refrigerant identifier or information on disposing of contaminated refrigerant, please refer to Service Information Bulletin 95-I-12.)